System for collimating backlight

ABSTRACT

A collimating device and a transflector for use in a system having a backlight is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the application, the collimating device and the transflector each include an immersing layer, a reflecting layer, and an optical element layer formed from a plurality of three-dimensional, optical elements. Each optical element is tapered such that a small area end has a horizontal plane cross-sectional area that is less than that of a wide area end. The optical elements of the collimating device are tapered towards the backlight and the optical elements of the transflector are tapered away from the backlight. The reflecting layer has apertures which correspond to the position and shape of the light input ends of the optical elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/194,360filed on Aug. 1, 2005. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/194,360 is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/108,296 filed onMar. 26, 2002 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/688,785 filed on Oct. 17, 2003. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/194,360also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/600,272 filed on Aug. 10, 2004.

GOVERNMENT INTERESTS

Not applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present application relates to both (1) transflective structures and(2) light collimating or funneling structures. In particular, thepresent application relates to both (1) transflective films and (2)light collimating or funneling films.

2. Description of Related Art

Light collimating films, sometimes known as light control films, areknown in the art. Such films typically have opaque plastic louvers lyingbetween strips of clear plastic. U.S. Pat. No. Re 27,617 teaches aprocess of making such a louvered light collimating film by skiving abillet of alternating layers of plastic having relatively low andrelatively high optical densities. After skiving, the high opticaldensity layers provide light collimating louver elements which, asillustrated in the patent, may extend orthogonally to the surface of theresulting louvered plastic film. U.S. Pat. No. 3,707,416 discloses aprocess whereby the louver elements may be canted with respect to thesurface of the light collimating film. U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,559 teaches aprocess for attaining a gradual change in the angle of cant ofsuccessive louver elements.

Such light collimating films have many uses. U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,722teaches the use of such films in lenses for goggles to be worn wherehigh levels of illumination or glare are encountered. Such films alsomay be used to cover a backlit instrument panel, such as the dashboardof a car, to prevent undesired reflections in locations such as thewindshield, or a backlit electronic device (e.g., a LCD computer screenor LCD TV).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,160 discloses light collimating films that areformed from a plastic film with a series of grooves formed therein. Thegrooves are filled with a light absorbing material or the sides andbottoms of the grooves may be painted with a light absorbing ink.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

None

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, togetherwith the detailed description provided below, describe exemplaryembodiments of the claimed invention. It will be appreciated that theillustrated boundaries of the elements in the drawings represent oneexample of the boundaries.

In the drawings and description that follows, like elements areidentified with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not toscale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for thepurpose of illustration.

FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional depiction of one embodiment of an opticalelement;

FIG. 1B is a depiction of a vertical plane cross-section of oneembodiment of an optical element;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are three-dimensional depictions of additionalembodiments of optical elements;

FIG. 3 is a simplified depiction of two adjacent optical elements;

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional depiction of one embodiment of an array ofoptical elements;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate one embodiment of a light collimating orfunneling structure 100;

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a light collimating or funnelingstructure 100;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of a light collimating orfunneling structure 100;

FIG. 8 is one embodiment of a transflective structure 200;

FIG. 9 is one embodiment of a transflector 300 having both a lightcollimating or funneling structure 100 and transflective structure 200;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are embodiments of a system having transflectivepixels 270 and an optical element layer 250 of a transflector 200;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are embodiments of a system having transflectivepixels 270, a light collimating device 100, and an optical element layer250 of a transflector 200; and

FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional depiction of one embodiment of a lightcollimating or funneling structure 400 having two layers, wherein eachlayer is composed of optical elements that are lenticular channels whosevertical plane cross-section is four-sided (including, for example, atrapezoid or a figure with curved sides) and whose horizontal planecross-section is a rectangle with length equal to that of the lenticularchannel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein.The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components thatfall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation.The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and pluralforms of terms may be within the definitions.

“Horizontal plane cross-section” as used herein, refers to across-section taken along a plane perpendicular to the direction of theelement.

“Tapered” as used herein, refers to a narrowing along either a linear orcurved line in the vertical plane cross-section direction, such thathorizontal plane cross-sections taken at different locations will havedifferent areas. In other words, a tapered object will have a small areaend and a large area end.

“Vertical plane cross-section” as used herein, refers to a cross-sectiontaken along a plane parallel to the direction of the element.

The present application relates to both (1) transflective structures and(2) light collimating or funneling structures. Funneling is essentiallythe action of a funnel. A funnel is typically defined as a conicallyshaped pipe, employed as a device to channel liquid or fine-grainedsubstances into containers with a small opening. Funnel in thisapplication refers to a general shape only, wherein there is a small endand a large end, with the entire structure not necessarily conical. Thefunneling of light in the transflective application is essentially fromthe large end to the small end. The funneling of light in thecollimating application is essentially from the small end to the largeend.

Light collimation is defined as taking the given angular distribution ofa light source and increasing the peak intensity, which may be on-axis,by the process of narrowing that given angular distribution.

Light collimating or funneling effects can be accomplished by using alloptical layer formed by a series of discrete tapered optical elements incombination with an immersing layer and a reflecting layer havingopenings or apertures disposed therein, corresponding to the positioningand shape of the tapered ends of the optical elements. To perform alight collimating or funneling function, the optical element is taperedtowards a light source, such that the optical element has a large areaend and a small area end. In this manner, the small area ends are lightinput ends and the large area ends are light output ends.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of an optical element 10 having alight input end 12, a light output end 14, and an edge 16. In thisembodiment, the edge 16 is constrained like a Compound ParabolicConcentrator (CPC). In other words, the vertical plane cross-section ofoptical element 10 is parabolic or approximately parabolic. In thisembodiment the optical element 10 has a circular horizontal planecross-section. In other embodiments (not shown), the horizontal planecross-section is square or rectangular.

FIG. 1B illustrates a depiction of a vertical plane cross-section of thesame optical element 10. As illustrated, light L enters the opticalelement 10 at the light input end 12 from multiple directions. As thelight L travels through the optical element 10, it impinges on a CPC orparabolic-like sidewall 16. The CPC or parabolic-like sidewall reflectsthe light L and focuses it an angle such that the light L emerges fromthe light output end 14 as a substantially uniform sheet.

FIG. 2A illustrates another embodiment of an optical element 20 having alight input end 21, a light output end 22, and a square horizontal planecross-section. As will be shown in detail below, a square cross-sectionallows for a higher packing density of optical elements in an opticalelement array. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the opticalelement may have a rectangular or any regular polygonal shapedhorizontal cross-section that may be regular. In general, regularpolygonal cross-sections allow for a higher packing density thancircular cross-sections.

With continued reference to FIG. 2A, a CPC structure 23 is located atthe light input end 21 and a linear section 24 is located at the lightoutput end 22 of the optical element 20. In another embodiment (notshown), a CPC section similar to that shown in FIG. 1 replaces thecombination of the CPC structure 23 and the linear section 24 shown inFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of an optical element 20 having alight input end 21, a light output end 22, and a square cross-section.In this embodiment, the optical element 20 includes a curved section 25at the light input end, wherein the curved section 25 is defined by anarc of a circle so as to approximate a CPC. The optical element 20further includes a linear section 24 located at the light output end 22.In this embodiment, a CPC structure is approximated by matching theslope of the curved section 25 with the slope of the linear section 24at the intersection point of the curved and linear sections 24, 25.

FIG. 2C illustrates another embodiment of an optical element 20 having asquare light input end 21 and a square light output end 22. In thisembodiment, a first linear section 24 is located at the light output end22 and a second linear section 26 is located at the light input end 21.A CPC structure 25 is located between the first and second linearsections 24, 26. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the CPCstructure 25 is replaced with a circular approximation of a CPCstructure. In either embodiment, a minimum draft angle .theta. isrequired for manufacturability. The draft angle is defined as thecomplement of the angle formed between the light output area 22 and theplane of the linear section 24. In one embodiment, the draft angle isselected such that there is continuity and a continuous slope betweensections 24 and 25 and between sections 25 and 26.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view, the equivalent of a vertical plane crosssection, of one embodiment of an optical element 30 having a squarelight input end 32 and a square light output end 34. In this embodiment,there are no linear sections. Instead, the sides 36 of the opticalelement 30 are circular approximations of a CPC structure.

In other embodiments (not shown), the optical elements have any suitabletapered shape including, without limitation, pyramids, cones, or anyother three-dimensional polygon or polyhedron. Further, the discretefaces of the optical elements can be planar, concave, convex, or pittedsuch that light entering the interior of an optical element iscontrolled, funneled or collimated.

In other embodiments (not shown), the optical elements have intersectingindentations, non-intersecting indentations, cones, conic sections,three-dimensional parabolic structures, pyramids, polygons, polyhedrons(e.g., tetrahedrons), regular multi-sided structures, or irregularmulti-sided structures. The reflectance, transmittance, and absorptionof the optical elements may have different values. The sides of thestructures may be linear, non-linear, or a combination thereof.

An approximation of a CPC shape is easier to manufacture than a true CPCshape, and may maintain, or even improve, peak performance. An arc of acircle is an example of an approximation to the CPC that may improveperformance. A CPC structure may be approximated by an arc of a circleor a combination of a linear region on each side of a CPC. Thecombination of a CPC structure and two linear regions can beapproximated by one linear region, but performance may be reduced. Inone embodiment, the horizontal plane cross-section can be square orrectangular to allow the structure to be readily manufactured bycreating orthogonal lenticular channels. Creating at least twonon-orthogonal lenticular channels can produce other cross sections forthe collimating structure. The cross sections can also be any regular orirregular polyhedron or any regular or irregular polygon.

A rectangular shaped horizontal plane cross-section (with acorresponding rectangular shaped input end) may result in a collimatedlight output that is not symmetric. The angular distribution of lightoutput along the length of the rectangular input structure is greaterthan the angular distribution of light along its width. Increasing thelength of the rectangular input structure increases the input arearelative to the output area of the element, thus more total energy isavailable at the output of the element. Therefore, the angulardistribution of the output light can be pre-determined based on thedisplay application. The area of the input relative to the output is adesign parameter of the device that allows control of the angulardistribution of the output light. This can be applied, for example, in aliquid crystal display television (LCD-TV) in which the horizontaldirection requires a wider viewing angle than the vertical direction. Tosatisfy the requirement for a wider viewing angle, the length of theinput structure would run in the horizontal direction while the widthwould run vertically.

In one embodiment, the draft angle may be about 8.degree. or more,thereby yielding a device whose performance may be the same as if thesecond linear section was extended to define the entire device. In otherwords, the performance may be as if the first linear section and CPCwere removed and replaced by an extension of the second linear section.Such a design would be chosen for ease of manufacturing, althoughperformance is lowered. Smaller draft angles have higher performance,but are more difficult to manufacture because of higher aspect ratio.The aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the depth of the light-guideto the distance between input apertures. A CPC (or circular fit to aCPC) device allows for the design of a low aspect ratio easy tomanufacture device rather than the same performing higher aspect lineardevice. For example, a linear design with a draft angle of 3.5.degree.(or aspect ratio of close to 8:1) would have about the same performanceas a CPC (or circular equivalent) device of aspect ratio about 2.9:1. Inother embodiments, the CPC approximation has an aspect ratio range ofless than 1:1 to greater than about 7.5:1.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an optical element array (alsoreferred to as an optical element layer). The optical element array hereis a 10.times.10 element array (100 total elements). However, in otherembodiments, an optical element array can be of any desired size orinclude any desired number or arrangement of optical elements.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the optical elements arearranged in a variety of patterns. For example, the optical elements maybe repeated in parallel and spaced across the area of the film. Theoptical elements may be arranged in varying shapes, heights, angles, orspacings before a pattern is repeated. Alternatively, the opticalelements may be arranged randomly so that there is no discernablepattern. Occasional variation in structure, or what might be termeddisruptive structures, may be used to eliminate or reduce effects ofunwanted aberrations (such as Moir effects).

In one embodiment, the optical layer is formed from a highlytransmissive polymer with an index of refraction exceeding that of air(index of refraction approximately 1). In one embodiment, the index ofrefraction for the polymer used to form the light containing region ofthe optical element is at least about 1.1, or even at least about 1.2.In another embodiment, the index of refraction for the polymer used toform the light containing region of the optical element is in the rangeof about 1.3 to about 1.8. This region is surrounded by any compatiblematerial—for example, air or a polymer of lower index of refraction thanthe light containing region—that allows total internal reflection (TIR)at the internal boundary (the boundary internal to the device) of thelight containing region. The lower the index of refraction of thepolymer of the light containing region of the optical element, thesmaller the Fresnel losses at the external air boundary of the input andoutput ends. This process of improved gain with lower index ofrefraction is limited only by the requirement to find a compatiblematerial of low enough index of refraction to allow TIR at the internalboundary.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show exploded, assembled, and side (the equivalentof a vertical plane cross section) views, respectively, of a lightcollimating or funneling structure 100. Also shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and5C is a backlight 110 (such as one that is used in a LCD TV) having asurface 120 that simultaneously acts as an emitting and reflectingsurface. Anyone familiar with the state of the art will recognize thatthis is a standard feature in LCD backlights. The reflecting featureallows for light recycling, a property that is necessary forperformance. The collimating or funneling structure 100 includes animmersing layer 130 with a reflecting layer 140 formed thereon and anoptical element layer 150.

In one embodiment, the immersing layer 130 is constructed of a polymericmaterial. Minimizing Fresnel losses requires an optically transparentmaterial of the same index of refraction as the light containing regionof the device. In another embodiment, any optically transparent materialof any index of refraction can be used, including glass or air. If airis used, the reflecting layer 140 is deposited directly on the opticalelement layer 150.

The reflecting layer 140 includes apertures (or openings) 160 whichmatch light input sides 170 of optical elements in the optical elementlayer 150. In one embodiment, the reflecting layer 140 is created bysputtering or chemically vapor depositing (CVD) a thin film of severalmicrons of highly reflecting material onto a highly transmissive polymersubstrate (the immersing layer 130 and selectively removing reflectingmaterial at the location of the light input sides 170. The apertures 160in the reflecting layer 140 can also be created by extending thematerial of the light input sides 170 and piercing through thereflecting layer 140. In one embodiment, the input apertures are in thesame plane as the top of the reflecting layer. In this embodiment, thereflecting layer 140 is constructed of metal, such as nickel, gold,aluminum, silver, or other suitable metal. However, in other embodiments(not shown), the reflecting layer may be constructed of any reflectingsubstance.

The highly transmissive polymer substrate used to construct theimmersing layer 130 may be the same polymer used in the optical elementsin the optical element layer 150. The use of the same polymer wouldallow an optically seamless interface with the rest of the collimatingor funneling structure and minimize Fresnel losses. In the case wherethe reflecting layer 140 acts as a specular or diffuse scattering layer,the reflecting layer 140 has as high a reflectivity as possible, withspecular or diffuse reflection in the one embodiment in excess of 95%.The excess reflective material, the reflective material that would blockthe input to the light-containing region of the device, may be removedby, for example, masking and etching, so that the areas withoutreflecting material form the apertures 160. As noted above, thereflecting layer 140, with apertures 160 formed therein, can be locatedon either side of the immersing layer 130, so long as there is at leastone reflecting layer 140 facing the backlight 110.

Here, the reflecting layer 140 acts as a thin, specularly or diffusereflecting layer that allows the light from the source to be recycled byreflection. In an alternative embodiment, the reflecting layer 140 is adiffuse reflecting layer rather than a specular reflecting layer.However, the preferred embodiment is for a specularly reflecting layer140 because ray-tracing calculations show a decline in performance of adiffuse reflecting layer, relative to a specularly reflecting layer. Inyet another alternative embodiment, the surface of the reflecting layer140 is textured (with, for example, systematic or random depressions orelevations, such as dimples) to guide the light into the input aperturesmore efficiently, that is with a minimum number of reflections andminimum energy lost. The reflective surface of the LCD backlightreflector can also be optically tuned to match the reflective layer ofthe device with the same goal of minimizing the number of reflectionswhile guiding the light into the input apertures.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the reflecting layer140 is disposed on the side of immersing layer 130 opposite from thebacklight 110. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the reflectinglayer 140 is disposed on the side of the immersing layer 130 that facesthe backlight 110. In either embodiment, the reflecting layer 140reflects light towards the backlight 110 for recycling.

In this embodiment, the collimating or funneling structure 100 includesan optical layer 150 formed from a plurality of three-dimensionaloptical elements having a light input side 170 and a light output side180. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the opticalelements are joined together to form a sheet at their light output sides180, thereby yielding a continuous collimating film. In an alternativeembodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the light containing region of the opticalelements are discrete and detached from each other, but are joined in acommon polymer sheet 185.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the light inputside 170 of the optical element layer 150 is in contact with thereflecting layer 140, such that the optical elements of optical layer150 correspond to the apertures 150 formed in the reflecting layer 140.In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the optical elements ofthe optical element layer 150 extend to embed the reflecting layer 140.In other words, the light input side 170 extends into the apertures 160of the reflecting layer 140 and contact the immersing layer 130. In thisembodiment, there is no gap between the immersing layer 130 and theoptical element layer 150. This may be achieved by manufacturing theimmersing layer 130 and the optical element layer 150 as a singlecontinuous layer, and later joining (for example, laminating) thereflecting layer 140 onto the optical element layer 150.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the reflecting layer 140is formed on the side of the immersing layer 130 facing the backlight,and the light input side 170 of the optical elements is in contact withthe immersing layer 130.

Regardless of the positioning of the reflecting layer 140 in relation tothe immersing layer 130, the reflecting layer 140 faces the backlight110. The light emitted from the backlight 110 must eventually passthrough the aperture 160 in the reflecting layer 140 and subsequentlythrough the optical elements of the optical layer 150 in order to becollimated. Light not passing through an aperture 160 is reflected backto the backlight 110, which subsequently reflects the light back towardsapertures. The light is then repeatedly reflected until it either passesthrough an aperture 160, or is lost to the system by absorption. Theexit angular distribution of the collimated light may be designed so asto match the range of pixel acceptance angles found in different LCDdisplay types. This would maximize the amount of light incident on thepixel that could be processed by the LCD, thereby maximizing theluminance perceived by an observer.

In one type of transflective LCD, additional light recycling can occurbetween the structure 100 and light reflected from the backside of areflective portion of a pixel and recycled. This type of transflectiveLCD is constructed of pixels containing both a transmissive aperture anda reflective region. In another type of transflective LCD, the pixel istransmissive and the reflective region is located on an optical elementexterior to the pixel. The major difference between such a transflectiveLCD and a transmissive LCD is the reflective region located on anoptical element exterior to the pixel. The transmissive LCD couldinclude the collimating device disclosed herein.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of a light collimating orfunneling structure 100, in which the air space between the opticalelements of the optical element layer are filled with a fill material190. In this embodiment, the fill material 190 is constructed of apolymeric material having an index of refraction that is sufficientlylower than the highly transmissive polymer used for the opticalelements. The difference in indices of refraction of the polymers may beselected to maintain TIR (total internal reflection). The difference inindex of refraction of the regions necessary to maintain TIR decreasesas the index of refraction of the light-containing region increases. Thetransmissivity of the fill material 190 does not need to be high sinceno light passes through the material. In fact, since the transmissivityof the fill material 190 could be zero, metal could be used as a fillmaterial 190. The reflectivity of the metal must be sufficiently high tominimize energy loss (due to absorption or scattering by the metal) uponreflection of light from the boundary of the light-containing region.Since the surface between the input apertures of the light containingregion must be covered by a reflecting material that allows forrecycling of the light from the light source, using a polymer fillmaterial 190 instead of air creates a surface for the reflectingmaterial. A manufacturing method may allow for creating the reflectingsurface 140 by deposition through a mask or by etching. A polymerimmersing layer 110 may still be used to limit Fresnel losses. Thisembodiment is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, with identical referencenumerals used therein denoting identical portions of the lightcollimating or funneling structure 100 as discussed in relation to FIGS.5A, 5B, and 5C. As such a discussion of the complete structure 100disclosed in FIGS. 7A and 7B will be omitted for brevity.

In one embodiment, the index of refraction of the optical element layer150 is greater than the index of refraction of the fill material 190.The index of refraction of the optical element layer 150 is sufficientlygreater than the index of refraction of the fill material 190 to allowTIR at the internal boundary (the boundary internal to the device) ofthe light-containing region without light leakage from thelight-containing region. This difference is calculated to be about 0.15,with higher required values for differences related to a lower index ofrefraction for the optical elements and a smaller required values ofdifferences related to a higher index of refraction. It should be notedthat there is no upper limit on the difference between the indices ofrefraction between the polymer occupying/filling the air spaces and thepolymer used to form the optical element layer 150, so long as theminimum difference to create TIR without leakage mentioned above is met.

FIG. 8 illustrates a transflective structure 200 according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The transflective structure 200reflects light that arrives from a first direction (i.e. from an ambientlight source A, such as the sun or a room light) and transmits lightthat arrives from an opposite direction (i.e. from a backlight 110). Inthis embodiment, the transflective structure 200 may be formed of animmersing layer 230, an optical layer 250, and a reflecting layer 240that covers the surface of optical element 250 excluding only the outputaperture 260 and intended to maximize the reflecting area. Thecomponents of the transflective structure 200 are substantially the sameas those used in the light collimating or funneling structure 100, butthey are reversed.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the transflective structure 200is positioned between a backlight 110 and an ambient light source A. Thereflecting layer 240 may have apertures (or openings) 260 formed thereinto transmit light from the backlight 110 while reflecting light from theambient light source A. In FIG. 8, the reflecting layer 240 is formed onthe side of the immersing layer 230 that faces the optical layer 250.Alternatively, the reflecting layer 240 may be formed on the side of theimmersing layer 230 that faces the ambient light source A or it may beformed on both sides of the immersing layer 230. The structure andproperties of the immersing layer 230 and the reflecting layer 240 areotherwise substantially similar to that of the immersing layer 130 andthe reflecting layer 140 described above in relation to the lightcollimating or funneling structure 100. As such, a discussion of thecomplete structure and properties of the immersing layer 230 and thereflecting layer 240 disclosed in FIG. 8 will be omitted for brevity.

The optical layer 250 may be formed of three dimensional tapered opticalelements such as those shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C and 3. In thisembodiment, the small area ends of the optical elements face the ambientlight source A, and thus function as light output ends for lighttransmitted from the backlight 110. The light output ends of the opticalelements of optical layer 250 corresponds to the apertures 260 formed inthe reflecting layer 240. In this embodiment, the light output endsextend to contact the reflective layer 240. In an alternativeembodiment, the light output ends extend to embed the reflecting layer240, as shown in FIG. 6. In another alternative embodiment, thereflective layer 240 is formed on the side of the immersing layer 230opposite the optical layer 260 and the light output ends of the opticalelements contact the immersing layer 230.

The structure and properties of the optical layer 250 are otherwisesubstantially similar to that of the optical layer 150 described abovein relation to FIGS. 5-7. As such, a discussion of the completestructure and properties of the optical layer 260 disclosed in FIG. 8will be omitted for brevity.

FIG. 9 illustrates a transflector 300 having both a transflectivestructure 200 and a light collimating or funneling structure 100. Thetransflector 300 reflects light that arrives from a first direction(i.e. from an ambient light source A, such as the sun or a room light)and transmits light that arrives from an opposite direction (i.e. from abacklight 110). In the illustrated embodiment, a light collimating orfunneling structure 100 is positioned between the backlight 110 and atransflective structure 200, so that light emitted from the backlight110 is first collimated or funneled by the light collimating orfunneling structure 100 and is then transmitted through thetransflective structure 200. At the same time, ambient light isreflected off the reflecting layer 240.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the transflective structure200 is positioned between the backlight 110 and the light collimating orfunneling structure 100, so that light emitted from the backlight 110 isfirst transmitted through the transflective structure 200 and then iscollimated or funneled by the light collimating or funneling structure100 while ambient light is reflected off the reflecting layer 140. Thelight collimating or funneling structure 100 and the transflectivestructure 200 are substantially the same as those discussed in relationto FIGS. 5-7. As such, a discussion of the complete light collimating orfunneling structure 100 and transflective structure 200 disclosed inFIG. 9 will be omitted for brevity.

FIG. 10A illustrates a display employing transflective pixels 270 and anoptical layer 250 of a transflector 200. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 10A, the transflective pixels 270 have a reflective layer 275.The transflective pixels 270 are aligned with the light output ends ofthe light containing regions of the optical layer 250. Because thepixels 270 include a reflective layer 275, the transflector 200 has noneed for a reflective layer. In this embodiment, the transflectivepixels 270 are located in a liquid crystal suspension 280. Color filters285 are also located in the liquid crystal suspension 280. The colorfilters 285 are aligned with the transflective pixels 270 and includered, green, and blue color filters.

With continued reference to FIG. 10A, a backlight 110 is locatedadjacent a rear polarizer 290. The optical layer 250 of a transflector200 is positioned between the rear polarizer 290 and the liquid crystalsuspension 280. The liquid crystal suspension 280 is also adjacent afront glass 295. The front glass is also adjacent a front polarizer 297.Because the pixels 270 include a reflective layer 275, the transflector200 has no need for a reflective layer. In an alternative embodiment(not shown), a rear glass is disposed between the transflector 200 andthe liquid crystal suspension 280. In another alternative embodiment(not shown), the transflector 200 is positioned behind the frontpolarizer 297.

FIG. 10B illustrates another alternative embodiment of a displayemploying transflective pixels 270 and the optical layer 250 of atransflector 200. In this embodiment, the color filters 285 are notlocated in the liquid crystal suspension 280. Instead, the color filtersare disposed between a rear polarizer 290 and a rear glass 299. Theoptical layer 250 of a transflector 200 is located adjacent thebacklight 110, such that it is disposed between the backlight 110 andthe rear polarizer 290. The rear glass 299 is disposed between the colorfilters 285 and the liquid crystal suspension 280. A front glass 295 isdisposed between a front polarizer 297 and the liquid crystal suspension280, as in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A illustrates a display employing transflective pixels 270, acollimating device 100, and an optical layer 250 of a transflector 200.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11A, the transflective pixels 270have a reflective layer 275. The transflective pixels 270 are alignedwith the light output ends of the light containing regions of theoptical layer 250. Again, because the pixels 270 include a reflectivelayer 275, the transflector 200 has no need for a reflective layer. Thecollimating device 100 includes an optical element layer 150 and areflecting layer 140 having apertures 160. In this embodiment, thetransflective pixels 270 are located in a liquid crystal suspension 280.Color filters 285 are also located in the liquid crystal suspension 280.The color filters 285 are aligned with the transflective pixels 270 andinclude red, green, and blue color filters.

With continued reference to FIG. 11A, a backlight 110 is locatedadjacent a rear polarizer 290. The collimating device 100 is adjacentthe rear glass 290, such that the rear glass is disposed between thebacklight 110 and the collimating device 100. The optical layer 250 of atransflector 200 is positioned between the collimating device 100 andthe liquid crystal suspension 280. The liquid crystal suspension 280 isalso adjacent a front glass 295. The front glass is also adjacent afront polarizer 297. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a rearglass is disposed between the transflector 200 and the liquid crystalsuspension 280. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the transflector200 and collimating device 100 are separated and the collimating device100 is positioned behind the front polarizer 297. In another alternateembodiment (not shown), both the transflector 200 and collimating device100 are positioned behind the front polarizer 297.

FIG. 11B illustrates another alternative embodiment of a displayemploying transflective pixels 270 and the optical layer 250 of atransflector 200. In this embodiment, the color filters 285 are notlocated in the liquid crystal suspension 280. Instead, the color filtersare disposed between a rear polarizer 290 and a rear glass 299. Thecollimating device 100 is located adjacent the backlight 110, such thatit is disposed between the backlight 110 and the optical layer 250 of atransflector 200. The rear polarizer 290 is disposed between the opticallayer 250 of a transflector 200 and the color filters 285. The rearglass 299 is disposed between the color filters 285 and the liquidcrystal suspension 280. A front glass 295 is disposed between a frontpolarizer 297 and the liquid crystal suspension 280, as in FIG. 11A. Inanother alternate embodiment (not shown), the transflector 200 andcollimating device 100 are separated and the transflector 200 ispositioned in front of the front polarizer 297 but behind the colorfilters 285.

The collimating or transflecting device, or combination thereof, may beused as part of the backplane of an LCD. Locating the transflectivedevice in the backplane would alleviate both color shifts and parallaxeffects arising from the reflective (ambient) component. This should beparticularly applicable in flexible (so called plastic) displays.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a light collimating or funnelingdevice 400 having first and second optical element layers 410, 420 withlight funneling or collimating element 440. In this embodiment, eachoptical element layer 410, 420 is formed from optical elements that arelenticular channels whose vertical plane cross-section is four-sided(including, for example, a trapezoid or a figure with curved sides) andwhose horizontal plane cross-section is a rectangle with length equal tothat of the lenticular channel. As disclosed in earlier figures, theoptical elements in both layers are tapered towards a backlight (notshown).

In this embodiment, the optical element layers 410, 420 are arranged sothat the lenticular channels are positioned orthogonal to each other. Inother words, the horizontal plane rectangular bases of the opticalelements in the first optical element layer 410 are orthogonal to thehorizontal plane rectangular bases of the optical elements in the secondoptical element layer 420. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thelenticular channel of the first optical element layer 410 are placed atan acute or obtuse angle with respect to the lenticular channels of thesecond optical element layer 420. In one embodiment, the second opticalelement layer 420 (the layer farthest from the backlight) includes ametal layer 430. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the upperlayer does not include a metal layer. In an additional alternativeembodiment (not shown), the structure 400 includes a single layer ofoptical elements having rectangular cross-sections.

The structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may be used with, for example, anon-emissive display system, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), orother devices in which light is directed for the purpose of creating animage. A typical non-emissive display system of this type includes astack comprised of a backlight, a polarizer, a liquid crystalsuspension, and another polarizer. On occasion, glass plates may belayered in between each polarizer and the liquid crystal suspension. Thestructure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may be positioned between the backlightand the polarizer. In operation, ambient light will pass through thevarious layers of polarizers, glass plates (which may include colorfilters, common electrodes, TFT matrix, or other components), and liquidcrystal suspension and will be redirected by reflective structureslocated on the inside of the back glass plate of the liquid crystalwhile at the same time artificial light rays generated from a backlightassembly will pass through the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400. Thestructure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may also be included as part of asub-assembly of an LCD or may be used in combination or conjunction withother recycling films such as collimating or reflective polarizingfilms.

The structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may be inserted between thebacklight assembly and the liquid crystal module where the reflectivesurface or surfaces of the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 faces thebacklight assembly and the transmissive surface faces the liquid crystalmodule.

The typical distribution of light from an LCD backlight is Lambertian.Such a distribution is considered uncollimated. The structure 100, 200,300, or 400 collimates the Lambertian distribution of the backlight to aprespecified angle of distribution. The prespecified angulardistribution depends on the index of refraction of the light-containingpolymer region, the length and shape of the light containing region, andthe size of the input and output apertures. The reflective surface ofthe structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may face the backlight assembly withlight coming out of the backlight assembly and passing through theopenings in the reflective surface to be eventually processed by theliquid crystal module.

Since space is usually at a premium inside an LCD, the overall thicknessof the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 should be minimized. In oneembodiment, the overall thickness of the device may be less than about1000 microns, less than about 500 microns, or even less than about 200.In another embodiment, the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 is notlimited to any pre-defined thickness. Rather, the thickness of thestructure 100, 200, 300, or 400 is determined by its use and is notnecessarily limited to 1000 microns. Likewise, the choice of periodicityis influenced by the LCD pixel periodicity. If periodicity for thedevice are smaller than the periodicities for the LCD, manufacturingdefects in the device are less likely to be visible and result inrejection. Typical periodicities for the device could range from thesub-micron range to hundreds of microns. Typical input aperture widthsalso range from sub-microns to hundreds of microns. Special care must betaken when using sub-micron designs to deal with potential diffractioneffects. Based on this range of possible designs, both nanoreplicationand microreplication methods are likely to be used in manufacturing thedevice. Performance will be maintained when structure features areproperly scaled.

In another embodiment, a structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 can bepositioned within a liquid crystal module itself in threeconfigurations: (1) at the back (surface) of the rear glass of theliquid crystal module and in front of the polarizer, (2) at the back(surface) of the rear glass of the liquid crystal module and behind thepolarizer, or (3) inside the rear glass of the liquid crystal module atthe pixel level. For a two-polarizer liquid crystal display system, onlythe second configuration is possible for the display to process thelight. For a single polarizer liquid crystal display system, all threeconfigurations are possible. In a plastic LCD the structure 100, 200,300, or 400 may be incorporated as part of the backplane and notnecessarily limited to 1000 microns. Likewise, the choice of periodicityis influenced by the LCD pixel periodicity. If periodicities for thedevice are smaller than the periodicities for the LCD, manufacturingdefects in the device are less likely to be visible and result inrejection. Typical periodicities for the device could range from thesub-micron range to hundreds of microns. Typical input aperture widthsalso range from sub-microns to hundreds of microns. Special care must betaken when using sub-micron designs to deal with potential diffractioneffects. Based on this range of possible designs, both nanoreplicationand microreplication methods are likely to be used in manufacturing thedevice. Performance will be maintained when structure features areproperly scaled.

The LCD can be manufactured on a roll-to-roll or assembled-by-layerbasis for any of the embodiments described and the light collimating orfunneling structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 can be an integral part of thestack. The layers of the LCD stack are produced or assembled on alayer-by-layer basis, and the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 can beincorporated as a part of the glass, pixel, collimator, or polarizer.Functional components may be layered on a liquid crystal modulesubstrate, thereby permitting the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 to beconstructed as part of the overall liquid crystal module manufacturingprocess.

In one embodiment, a non-emissive display system may collimate lightsuch that the majority of light emerges perpendicular to the device. Thenon-emissive display system may also include a light polarizer. In anyembodiment, the collimating or polarizing material may be attached tothe reflective or transmissive side of the device. The highlytransmissive surface of the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 may face theliquid crystal module and the highly reflective surface may face thebacklight assembly. The collimating or polarizing material can beattached to the entire transmissive surface of the structure 100, 200,300, or 400. The collimating or polarizing materials may be anintegrated design element and part of the manufactured product.Alternatively, the material may be later adhered or fixed to eithersurface of the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400. In one embodiment, thecollimating film may cover the entire area of the surface where thelight emerges from the structure 100, 200, 300, or 400. The collimatingfilm may cover the full area of the display or at least a portionthereof.

Another way to collimate light is to include lens-lets within the liquidcrystal display system. The location could be either an integral withthe structure 100, 200, 300, or 400 or separate from it, the location ofthe lens-lets may be directly above or underneath the structure 100,200, 300, or 400.

The optical elements described herein have the ability to allow light topass from the backside, while the front surface of the film canpotentially be used to absorb, direct, reflect, or deflect the ambientlight. A modification of the transflective film can be used in anOrganic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. Take the originaltransflective design and replace the upper reflective metal area withlight absorbing or directing material. The film sits between the OLEDpixels (light source) and the top glass. This controls the effect ofambient light (effectively unwanted glare) in the emissive OLED display.There is also a traditional (non-OLED) transmissive LCD application thatwould benefit from this design. This design to control glare and improvecontrast can be used with any emissive display. This design, as in thetransflective design, could be deployed as a film or as a component ofthe pixel surface.

There are at least four methods of microreplication manufacturing forthe above-described devices. The first method involves creation of amaster mold and then the creation of the device. The master mold can bemanufactured utilizing a diamond turning process or a photolithographicprocess (including any part of the electromagnetic spectrum such asX-ray lithography for LIGA as an example). To create the repeatedstructures of the device, a mechanical process such as embossing ormolding or a chemical process such as etching can be utilized. Thus,utilizing these processes, the structures may be formed in the body of atransparent film material, glass, or plastic substrate by creatingindentations (voids) in the transparent material Light containingregions of the transparent material are then delineated by theseindentations. Manufacturing techniques using transparent photosensitivematerials where physical indentations are not formed will be describedbelow.

The indentations may then be filled with either a reflective material ora material that has a lower index of refraction than that of thetransparent film material. The indentations in the transparent filmmaterial may be embedded in the transparent film material such that thebase of each shape is approximately parallel to and coincident with, orslightly recessed from, the transparent material. If the reflective fillmaterial has a lower index of refraction than the transparent filmmaterial, light will be contained in the transparent material.

To accommodate either of these processes, the transparent film materialhas specific properties necessary for etching, molding, embossing, orother processes that alter the body of the device. Examples of suitablematerials are polymers such as polycarbonate and PMMA(polymethylmethacrylate). Examples of reflective material for fillingthe indentations include a metal composite or other material with a highreflectivity such as aluminum, gold, silver, nickel, chrome, adielectric or other metallic alloy with a reflectivity of 80% orgreater. In one embodiment, the reflectivity of the material is 95% orgreater. The fill material for the reflective structures will beoptimized to minimize absorption and have highly reflective propertiesfor the controlled redirection of energy. Examples of fill material thathas a lower index of refraction than that of the transparent filmmaterial include clear composite paste, composite material (e.g.,polymer), or multiple composite materials with different refractiveindices or reflective qualities. In an alternative embodiment, nomaterial (e.g., gas, air, or vacuum) may be used to fill theindentations.

The minimum difference in index of refraction between the fill and thebody of the element is estimated to be 0.01 to achieve TIR of thatportion such that light does not leak by refraction through the boundaryof the light-containing region. The index of refraction difference maynot be the same for each shape across the body of the device, as long asthere is sufficient index of refraction difference between the fill andthe body of the element so that some of the light undergoes TIR and doesnot leak out of the light-containing region. Preferably, however, theindices of refraction are the same for each shape across the body of thedevice. Furthermore, a portion of the indentations may be filled with afirst material and then a second portion of the indentation may befilled with a second material. For example, the top of the indentationmay be filled with aluminum while the rest of the indentation may befilled with a clear polymer having a lower index of refraction than thatof the transparent film material.

A second method of manufacturing the above-described devices producesthe structures in a transparent photosensitive film. The structures areproduced by changing the index of refraction in specific areas of thebody of the transparent photosensitive film to have the equivalentfunction and shape of the collimating or transflector structures hereindescribed, wherein the function and shape may be the same.

As in the manufacturing technique using microreplication, the equivalentappropriate structures are created whereby the high index of refractionstructures become the light-containing regions and the low index ofrefraction regions act as the light-guiding boundary regions. Theprocess includes forming a transparent photosensitive film on thesurface of a substrate (for example, by deposition). The transparentphotosensitive film may be constructed of any clear material that, whenexposed to light, changes its optical properties. The photosensitivematerial should exhibit favorable optical and mechanical properties. Inaddition to a sufficient photo-induced refractive index change, asuitable set of “writing” wavelengths (typically in the ultraviolet),optical transparency, thin film formability, and mechanical behavior areof great importance. The transparent photosensitive film may be“written” by scanning over the surface with a repeated pattern or over alarger volume through a micro-lenslet array.

Examples of materials used in this process include OLEDs or organicpolymers that have optimized mechanical behavior, or organic-inorganichybrids that combine the chemical versatility of organic polymers, i.e.polysilanes, polygermanes, and/or their sol-gel hybrids. Other materialsinclude organic polymer such as specially modified polyethylene,polycarbonate, polyvinylcinnamate, and polymethylmethacrylate. Othermaterials include the combination a transparent polymer matrix and apolymerable photo-reactive substance comprising a photopolymerizablemonomer. The transparent polymer matrix may be selected from the groupconsisting of polyolefins, synthetic rubbers, polyvinyl chloride,polyester, polyamide, cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol,polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyurethane, polyurethane acrylate,and epoxy acrylate resin. The photo-reactive substance comprises aphoto-reactive initiator which has a refractive index regulatingactivity and said film has a distribution of a refractive index. Thephotopolymerizable monomer may be selected from the group consisting oftri-bromophenoxyethyl acrylate and trifluoroethyl acrylate.

A thin layer of reflective material is then deposited on the surface ofthe photosensitive transparent film opposite the substrate. In oneembodiment, the reflective material for the thin layer of reflectivemetal is a metal composite or other material with a high reflectivitysuch as aluminum, gold, silver, nickel, chrome, a dielectric or othermetallic alloy with a reflectivity of 80% or greater. Preferably, thereflectivity of the material is 95% or greater. Predetermined regions ofthe reflective metal deposition are then removed by ablating thereflective material to expose the photosensitive film in thepredetermined regions. These predetermined regions are then exposed to alight source to change the optical characteristics of the photosensitivefilm in the predetermined regions to alter the index of refraction ofthe photosensitive film in the predetermined regions to thereby formaltered refractive index areas. The steps of ablating the reflectivemetal and changing the optical characteristics of the photosensitivefilm are accomplished by a light source (that faces the metal reflectivelayer) that may produce ultraviolet light. The light source may comprisean optical radiation source that irradiates light, at a specificwavelength and of sufficient intensity, through a micro-lenslet array soas to ablate the reflective metal layer and change the opticalcharacteristics of the photosensitive film. In one embodiment, theradiation source is an excimer laser.

The unchanged portions of the photosensitive film comprise unalteredrefractive index areas (i.e., structures) having a lower index ofrefraction than the altered refractive index areas.

A third method of manufacturing also produces the desired structures ina transparent photosensitive film. The process also includes forming atransparent photosensitive film on the surface of a substrate. Thetransparent photosensitive film may be constructed of the same materialsas discussed above. A photoresist layer is then formed on thephotosensitive film. Predetermined regions of the photosensitive filmand the photoresist layer are then exposed to a light source (that facesthe substrate) to change the optical characteristics of thephotosensitive film in the predetermined regions and to alter the indexof refraction of the photosensitive film in the predetermined regions tothereby form altered refractive index areas in the photosensitive film.The light source may comprise an optical radiation source thatirradiates light, at a specific wavelength and of sufficient intensity,through a micro-lenslet array so as to ablate the reflective metal layerand change the optical characteristics of the photosensitive film.Preferably, the radiation source is an Excimer laser. The exposedphotoresist layer in the predetermined region is then removed using asuitable etchant that creates an opening to the photosensitive film. Athin layer of reflective material is then deposited in the openingspreviously occupied by the exposed photoresist layer. In one embodiment,the reflective material for the thin layer of reflective metal is ametal composite or other material with a high reflectivity such asaluminum, gold, silver, nickel, chrome, a dielectric or other metallicalloy with a reflectivity of 80% or greater. In one embodiment, thereflectivity of the material is 95% or greater. Finally, the residualphotoresist layer is washed away and lifted off, removing the unwantedmaterial that was on the residual photoresist layer leaving the desiredpattern on the remainder of the surface.

A fourth manufacturing method (or process) for creating theabove-described devices includes a single step process of producing thedesired structures in a transparent photosensitive film. In this method,CPC or approximate CPC structures are manufactured from a photosensitivepolymer by exposing the output side of the structure to a laser light,using a lens/masking system. The photosensitive polymer reacts to thelaser light in a pre-determined frequency band by changing its index ofrefraction in appropriately selected areas. A printing system is guidedby the light output from the structures created by the change in indexof refraction. Simultaneously then, a reflective layer surrounding theinput apertures can be manufactured by printing a reflecting layerwhenever there is no light. To complete the process, a simple blanketpolymer deposition on the input aperture side is performed to immersethe reflecting layer.

In other embodiments related to utilizing a photosensitive transparentmaterial, discrete structures may be arranged in varying structures,heights, angles, or spacing and one or more of the discrete faces of astructure, may be concave, convex, and/or pitted. Additionally,micro-shapes (such as pyramids or cones) may be deposited on one side ofthe body of the element directly over the base of each structure, eitheras part of a deposition process, described above, or as an independentprocess, to further control the direction of reflected energy. In otherembodiments, the indices of refraction may be different for eachdiscrete structure such that various alternating patterns are producedacross the body of the element to achieve specific effects. In otherembodiments, a combination of structures created by filled indentationsand altering the refractive index of a photosensitive material may beused to create various patterns across the body of the element. In oneembodiment, a reflective material such as metal or any material with theequivalent of an infinite index of refraction may be inserted underneaththe polymer-cladding layer (layer of lower index of refraction material)to reflect light exceeding the cladding's index of refraction criticalangle. This will reflect light normally lost by reflecting light backinto the wave-guide region. This technique may be used for all structuresizes defined above.

Another method of creating the above described devices includesfabrication of structures from some suitable material that will maintainintegrity in the physical working environment, and suspending thestructures by some suitable method. Suspension may be accomplished bythe use of wire or some type of filament that forms a grid, but willdepend on the specific application and will be apparent to one skilledin the art. This aspect of the invention is useful in solar applicationsor other applications, where the size of transflectors may or may not belimited by the size requirements of non-emissive displays (where theintended use is by the human visual system).

Another method to manufacture light-guiding structures is to directlylocate structures on top of a supporting surface such as glass orpolymer. One preferred embodiment is an isosceles shaped light-guidingstructure made of metal or a highly reflective material resting onglass. The wave guide structures are laid on top of or deposited on theunderlying supporting surface. Another preferred embodiment is where thesupporting surface contains periodic shapes (grooved or projection)wherein a fluid containing the appropriate mating pieces is passed overthe periodic shapes of the supporting surface such that the probabilityof creating the desired device is 100%. This can be accomplished as inbiological systems by having a sufficient number of the mating piecescarried in the fluid in excess of the shapes on the supportingstructure.

While the present application illustrates various embodiments, and whilethese embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not theintention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope ofthe claimed invention to such detail. Additional advantages andmodifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to thespecific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrativeexamples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made fromsuch details without departing from the spirit or scope of theapplicant's claimed invention.

1. A collimating device for use in a system having a backlight, thecollimating device comprising: an immersing layer; a reflecting layer;and an optical element layer formed from a plurality ofthree-dimensional, optical elements, each optical element having a lightinput end and a light output end, each optical element being taperedtowards the backlight such that the light input end has a horizontalplane cross-sectional area that is less than that of the light outputend, wherein each optical element has a vertical plane cross-sectionthat includes at least one curved section that is an approximation of acompound parabolic concentrator and includes at least one linearsection, such that uncollimated light entering the light input end ofthe optical element from multiple angles emerges from the light outputend of the optical end as a substantially uniform sheet, and wherein thecurved section is defined by an arc of a circle, and a slope of thecurved section matches a slope of the at least one linear section at theintersection point of the curved section and the at least one linearsection, and wherein the reflecting layer has apertures therein whichcorrespond to the position and shape of the light input ends of theoptical elements.
 2. The collimating device of claim 1, wherein theoptical elements are surrounded by air.
 3. The collimating device ofclaim 1, wherein the optical element layer is formed from a polymerhaving a first index of refraction and the optical elements aresurrounded by a second polymer having a second index of refraction, thefirst index of refraction being higher than the second index ofrefraction.
 4. The collimating device of claim 1, wherein the lightoutput end of each optical element abuts the light output end of atleast one other optical element of the optical element layer.
 5. Thecollimating device of claim 1, wherein the immersing layer has a firstand second side and the reflecting layer has a first and second side,and wherein the first side of the immersing layer is in contact with thesecond side of the reflecting layer.
 6. The collimating device of claim5, wherein the light input ends of the optical elements extend such thatthe light input ends contact the second side of the reflecting layer. 7.The collimating device of claim 5, wherein the light input ends of theoptical elements extend through the apertures of the reflecting layerand contact the second side of the immersing layer.
 8. The collimatingdevice of claim 1, wherein the immersing layer has a first and secondside and the reflecting layer has a first and second side, and whereinthe first side of the reflecting layer is in contact with the secondside of the immersing layer and the light input ends of the opticalelements are in contact with the first side of the immersing layer. 9.The collimating device of claim 1, wherein the reflecting layer is ametal layer.
 10. The collimating device of claim 1, wherein theimmersing layer is an immersing polymer layer.
 11. The collimatingdevice of claim 1, wherein each optical element has a polygonalhorizontal plane cross-section.
 12. The collimating device of claim 1,wherein each optical element is lenticular shaped and has a horizontalplane cross-section that is rectangular with length equal to that of thelenticular channel.
 13. The collimating device of claim 1, wherein thereflecting layer comprises a material having a reflectivity of 80% orgreater.
 14. A transflector configured to reflect light arriving from afirst direction and to transmit light arriving from a second directionopposite the first direction, the transflector comprising: at least oneimmersing layer, including a first immersing layer having a first andsecond side, wherein the first side faces a backlight that projectslight in the first direction and the second side faces light arrivingfrom the second direction; at least one reflective layer, including afirst reflective layer having a first and second side, wherein the firstside faces the backlight and the second side faces light arriving fromthe second direction; at least one optical element layer, including afirst optical element layer having a first set of optical elements,wherein each of the first set of optical elements are tapered towardsthe light arriving from the second direction, such that each opticalelement has a small area end and a large area end, wherein the largearea end of each of the first set of optical elements contacts the largearea end of another of the first set of optical elements, and whereinthe first reflective layer has apertures therein which correspond to thepositioning and shape of the small area ends of each of the first set ofoptical elements.
 15. The transflector of claim 14, wherein the firstside of the first reflective layer is in contact with the second side ofthe first immersing layer, and the small area ends of the first set ofoptical elements are in contact with the second side of the firstreflective layer.
 16. The transflector of claim 14, wherein the firstside of the first immersing layer is in contact with the second side ofthe first reflective layer, and the small area ends of the first set ofoptical elements are in contact with the second side of the firstimmersing layer.
 17. The transflector of claim 14, wherein the firstside of the first reflective layer is in contact with the second side ofthe first immersing layer, and the small area ends of the first set ofoptical elements extend through the apertures of the first reflectivelayer and contact the second side of the first immersing layer.
 18. Thetransflector of claim 14, wherein the at least one optical element layerincludes a second optical element layer having a second set of opticalelements, each of the second set of optical elements being taperedtowards the backlight, such that each optical element has a small areaend and a large area end and the large area ends of the second set ofoptical elements are adjacent to the large area ends of the first set ofoptical elements; wherein the at least one reflective layer includes asecond reflective layer having a first side and a second side, such thatthe first side faces the backlight and the second side faces lightarriving from the second direction, the second reflective layer furtherhaving apertures therein which correspond to the positioning and shapeof the small area ends of each of the second set of optical elements;wherein the at least one immersing layer includes a second immersinglayer having a first side and a second side, such that the first sidefaces the backlight and the second side faces light arriving from thesecond direction.
 19. The transflector of claim 18, wherein the firstside of the second immersing layer is in contact with the second side ofthe second reflective layer, and the small area ends of the second setof optical elements are in contact with the first side of the secondreflective layer.
 20. The transflector of claim 14, wherein the firstreflective layer comprises a material having a reflectivity of 80% orgreater.
 21. A collimating device for use in a system having abacklight, the collimating device comprising: a reflecting layer; and anoptical element layer formed from a plurality of three-dimensional,optical elements, each optical element having a light input end and alight output end, each optical element being tapered towards thebacklight such that the light input end has a horizontal planecross-sectional area that is less than that of the light output end,wherein each optical element has a vertical plane cross-section thatincludes at least one curved section that is an approximation of acompound parabolic concentrator and includes at least one linearsection, such that uncollimated light entering the light input end ofthe optical element from multiple angles emerges from the light outputend of the optical end as a substantially uniform sheet, and wherein thecurved section is defined by an arc of a circle, and a slope of thecurved section matches a slope of the at least one linear section at theintersection point of the curved section and the at least one linearsection, and wherein the reflecting layer has apertures therein whichcorrespond to the position and shape of the light input ends of theoptical elements.
 22. The collimating device of claim 21, wherein eachoptical element has a polygonal horizontal plane cross-section.
 23. Thecollimating device of claim 21, wherein each optical element islenticular shaped and has a horizontal plane cross-section that isrectangular with length equal to that of the lenticular channel.
 24. Thecollimating device of claim 21, wherein the reflecting layer comprises amaterial having a reflectivity of 80% or greater.
 25. A devicecomprising: transflective pixels having a reflective surface; and anoptical element layer having a plurality of light containing regions,wherein each light containing region is tapered along a curved pathtowards the transflective pixels, such that each light containing regionhas a small area end and a wide area end, wherein the small area endsare aligned with the transflective pixels.
 26. The device of claim 25,further comprising: a plurality of color filters aligned with thetransflective pixels.
 27. The device of claim 25, further comprising: abacklight; a front polarizer; a rear polarizer; and at least one glasslayer.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one glass layerincludes a front glass layer.
 29. The device of claim 27, wherein the atleast one glass layer includes a front glass layer and a rear glasslayer.
 30. The device of claim 25, wherein the device includes acollimating layer having a plurality of light containing regions and areflective layer.
 31. The device of claim 25, wherein the reflectivesurface comprises a material having a reflectivity of 80% or greater.